wwyd-Marriot Magnificent Mile

[ptcruisermom]

At the end of Jan. my DD and I will be attending a dance convention located at the Marriot on Magnificent Mile. We were there 2 years ago-great location, nice hotel. The convention rate for the room is $145.00 per night, in the past a friend and her mom have went wit us and shared the room. I knew they weren't going, so planed on paying for the entire thing. I booked the room in Oct., and it can be cancelled up to 6 PM the day of arrival.


I have now found this hotel on Priceline for a nightly rate of 81.88, which of course is prepay but does have a generous cancel policy the day before by noon, for a full refund.

Should I go ahead and book thru Priceline and leave my other ressie alone, cancelling it after we get there.(Just in case for some reason they don't have my Priceline one). I"ve done the name your own price before but never booked otherwise directly thru Priceline. I didn't have any problems with them at all.

I did request a fridge thru my original ressie, so probably wouldn't get that, but it is now big deal. the other years we have gone, there have been no apparent amenities booking thru convention . Other than 2 years ago they did charge you $20.00 more for the classes,if you didn't stay at the host hotel.

My savings would be about $154.00. I know it should be a no brainer.

 

[mjkacmom]

For our dance competions, we've always had to pay a penalty fee (about $100 a night) if we don't stay at the hotels the competition has lined up. For our next one in Chicago, not only did I have to book the Sheraton, but I already paid for it! And there is no cancellation.

 

[Sandy321]

"this" hotel for $81 on Priceline? How do you know which hotel it is? (and Priceline has a generous cancel policy? That hasnt been my experience - I bid and it was not in the right area - so I called to complain, and this was a week before the reservation - there was no refund, they had just changed the maps - I had a screen cap to prove the hotel we won was not in the map area I bid in - so sad too bad for me)

If you do know its the same hotel, and there are no penalties I would book it - if you dont know what hotel it is, I'd read the list at betterbidding.com to make sure there are no hotels (some of the "boutique" hotels only have one bed!) in the category you bid that would be too far out of your way, or not have 2 beds.

I know I have often gotten the Hyatt for a good price - there are no pools, and some of the rooms are smaller, but its not a big deal - 2 beds is a big deal!

I agree with the PP - it used to be you'd get the best rate going with a convention - now with the internet, you can get better prices - but then the convention amenities are coming out of the hotel prices - so they have to make up the money from some where!

 

[ptcruisermom]

For our dance competions, we've always had to pay a penalty fee (about $100 a night) if we don't stay at the hotels the competition has lined up. For our next one in Chicago, not only did I have to book the Sheraton, but I already paid for it! And there is no cancellation.

For competitions I have never had to stay at the hotel the comp had lined up. We are not doing the comp with this convention, just the convention. there is absolutely nothing on the convention website saying there is a penalty-in fact the block of convention rooms were sold out. had this happen one other time, we got our reservation but many from our studio had to book somewhere else.

Double checked with email confirmation and I can cancel up to the day of the convention check in.

 

[ptcruisermom]

"this" hotel for $81 on Priceline? How do you know which hotel it is? (and Priceline has a generous cancel policy? That hasnt been my experience - I bid and it was not in the right area - so I called to complain, and this was a week before the reservation - there was no refund, they had just changed the maps - I had a screen cap to prove the hotel we won was not in the map area I bid in - so sad too bad for me)

If you do know its the same hotel, and there are no penalties I would book it - if you dont know what hotel it is, I'd read the list at betterbidding.com to make sure there are no hotels (some of the "boutique" hotels only have one bed!) in the category you bid that would be too far out of your way, or not have 2 beds.

I know I have often gotten the Hyatt for a good price - there are no pools, and some of the rooms are smaller, but its not a big deal - 2 beds is a big deal!

I agree with the PP - it used to be you'd get the best rate going with a convention - now with the internet, you can get better prices - but then the convention amenities are coming out of the hotel prices - so they have to make up the money from some where!

This isn't' where you name your own price this is on Priceline's website where they search for hotels and come up with a list of them, and this one is at the top, that is how I know it is the same one. As far as 2 beds doesn't really need that unless it is a twin then would not be good as it is only my DD and myself.

 

[Green Tea]

If PL has it at that price, I bet the Marriott website has it at that price as well. Look at their specials and see if you can find it. If not call Marriott and tell them the rate is lower on the other site and they will likely match it.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I use priceline all the time for both name your own price and know it before you buy it pricing. I would have no problem booking the Marriott through that channel.

Our best purchase through priceline was 5 nights at the Times Square Crowne Plaza in NYC over Thanksgiving last year, the package included parking and breakfast for $209 a night, regular $479. That was an absolute bargain right on Times Square a block from the parade, with about $70 a day of freebies added.

 

[robinb]

I would call Marriott and have them change your rate to that pre-paid rate. I'm certain that it isn't a special Priceline rate.

 

[Stacy9402]

actually Marriott has a Best guarantee price policy. After you book and you find a lower price published. They will match it plus give you 25% off. I am not sure on the exact details but I would look into that and call Marriott. Make sure you take a screen shot of priceline so you would be able to email that to them.

 

[ptcruisermom]

actually Marriott has a Best guarantee price policy. After you book and you find a lower price published. They will match it plus give you 25% off. I am not sure on the exact details but I would look into that and call Marriott. Make sure you take a screen shot of priceline so you would be able to email that to them.

I did look into that and I think they way I understand it you have to find the cheaper rate within 24 hours of booking. I did book the Priceline deal came out to 190 plus some change, otherwise my other ressie was going to be 334 and some change. I have to cancel that one yet, but can do so up to 6 PM day of arrival(yes I have it printed out). So everything paid for now except our food and any shopping we do. Make me feel good.